The Family Counseling Center Recognizes October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month
The Family Counseling Center and its staff are participating in several activities in recognition of October as Domestic Violence Awareness month.
What is Domestic Violence?
Domestic Violence is a pattern of coercive, controlling behavior that is a widespread, life-threatening crime affecting people in all communities regardless of age, gender, ability, sexual orientation, ethnicity or social standing.
Domestic Violence can take the form of physical abuse, emotional abuse, verbal abuse, digital abuse (stalking through digital means), financial abuse (controlling finances), psychological abuse or sexual abuse.
Who does Domestic Violence Affect?
Domestic Violence does not occur solely to women, though the most common victims are women between 18 and 24 years of age. 1 in 7 men have been severely physically abused by an intimate partner. 1 in 3 girls will be physically, emotionally or verbally abused by their dating partner. Child abuse is a form of Domestic Violence. Elder abuse is also a form of Domestic Violence and can take the form of physical assault, denial of basic needs, and manipulation of finances.
How to Acquire Help
The Family Counseling Center’s Domestic Violence program provides support to those seeking a safe space and support as they begin to advocate for themselves, breaking the cycle of violence in their lives. Staff provide advocacy, transportation, counseling, support, legal aid referrals and New York State Office of Victim Services among other supports. The agency maintains a 24-hour hotline which can be reached at 518.725.5300. The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1.800.799.7233.
Out in the Community
Staff from the Center’s Domestic Violence Program and Children and Family Services teams will be out in the community on October 20, 2021 at the Trunk or Treat festivities hosted by the Mental Health Association in Fulton & Montgomery Counties. The event will be held October 21,2021 at 307 Meadow Street in Johnstown from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Family Counseling Center team members will be handing out goodie bags for children and resource information on programs to adults.
In addition, the staff of The Family Counseling Center will be participating in Purple Thursday on October 21, 2021. Purple Thursday is a national day of action that raises awareness of domestic violence and is an easy way for community members to show their commitment to promoting healthy relationships by starting a conversation about domestic violence.